You want me to FAKE my portfolio? - A lesson from my Photo 227 class.

So, if you've read my previous blog posts, you know that I switched my college major this past semester and am now using my GI Bill to pursue an official education in photography.  One of my classes is a black and white film photography class which I do actually enjoy and will showcase my work from that class in the a future blog, but the class I want to speak to you about today is a required class for my degree called Photographic Careers.  It's basically a 16 week job fair of speakers from different careers from photo editor to forensics photographer.  The final project for this class is to put together a portfolio of 20 or less images showcasing our own work.  This portfolio will be submitted to the professor for a grade and to one of the speakers from the semester for a more refined review of your actual work. 

Last night's class was an opportunity for some students to share their portfolios with the class and get some feedback.  The guy who sits next to me and typically keeps me sane throughout the semester suggested I put mine up and the professor who earlier showed interest in my work agreed.  I was NOT ready for the response that I received from the class as well as the professor.

As the slide show progressed the class remained silent, but when it was over it seemed like the majority of the women in my class liked my work, but it seemed like most of the men absolutely HATED it.  The professor who was a documentary photographer back in the 70's hated any picture that showed any sign of photoshop regardless of whether or not it was done well.  She also said that my subjects weren't thin or attractive enough and that if I was going to have a successful portfolio I should think about hiring models to take shots to show my future clients that I can make them look attractive.  Really?!  You want me to FAKE my portfolio.  Every bride I have shot has been beautiful!  Are they size 2, 6'2" models?  No, but they are REAL people!  And these shots are THEIR memories.  My wife and I don't just set up perfect pictures on a set somewhere and then photoshop in the details.  We capture memories.  Our clients memories and the experience involved with having your photos done.

One of my favorite photos we've shot was one where their reception was held at a semi-professional baseball game with fireworks at the end.  When the game ended I set up my tripod and got a few shots of the bride and groom kissing with a beautiful firework burst behind them.  When I showed this picture to the bride right off the LCD on the back of my camera (which I don't normally do) she cried and hugged me and I cried because it was such a meaningful memory for them that I captured for them.  When this picture came across my slide show in class, one student piped up and said, they're too blurry you should have taken this photo in front of black background and just photoshopped the fireworks in, it would be easier and much sharper.  REALLY?!  Now not ONLY am I supposed to fake my portfolio, now you want me to fake my clients ACTUAL wedding shots?  I'm stunned, I can't believe I'm hearing this!  I didn't just create this scene... it ACTUALLY happened without my coaching it along or setting it up and I captured it as best as anyone could and the picture was beautiful and brought tears to the bride's eyes.  What more could I ask for?

 

At this point I was done hearing from the wannabe editorial and fine art photographers.  I stopped my critique and went back to my seat and tried to pull some kind of constructiveness from what I had heard.  And what came to mind was something I read in Tim Gunn's new book Gunn's Golden Rules.  He said "Chacun à gôut; that is, it's a matter of taste."  If you haven't picked up this book it's a wonderful inspiration for the budding creative person whether in photography, fashion, or whatever art you are involved in.  Even if you aren't there's plenty of good life lessons in it. 

All in all I know that I am not a photography expert nor do I pretend to be.  I have a lot to learn.  Brandy and I are both still trying to find our definitive style and find what appeals most to our clients.  Do they like a lot of photoshop or little photoshop?  Do they like traditional posed shots or the candid shots?  Color or black and white?  So many things that come from experience with a wide variety of clients.  But I won't take my professors advice and shoot weddings for less or for free if the couple is more attractive because of the commercial possibilities of the photos.  I can not believe the disrespect for me, my wife, our business, or our clients that I received from this class, but I am grateful everyday for our clients and our fans.  We love you!